The study of Oregon's secondary special education programs for the mildly disabled surveyed 143 administrators, 323 teachers, and 279 parents. Among results were that few districts used written interagency agreements to involve community agencies; that teachers wanted more and better parent involvement; and that follow-up of previous students was…

Parents are encouraged to take a child-centered approach to maximizing individual potential, which includes modeling the basic skills including how to learn, live, love, and communicate. Educators can help fully develop students' learning potential by matching their learning pace and the information content provided to their level of functioning.…

A study of grades for all kindergarten children in a rural midwestern town near an American Indian reservation examined the variables of gender, class time, parent involvement, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and family style. Cultural differences possibly led to higher grades for Caucasian children in two of the six grade categories. (JHZ)

Describes a case in which a contrast in schooling success between parent and child related to a miscommunication regarding bilingual instruction in the classroom. Illustrates the need for effective communication between home and school in promoting positive parent involvement in children's learning. (BB)

The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) provides a planning guide insert to help PTA's strengthen parent and community involvement in schools. Includes discussion of improving parent involvement in schools, activities that help parents help their children, development of parents as volunteers, steps to increase parent involvement in school…

Parents of 31 developmentally delayed children (ages 1-27 months) received training to assess their children's developmental status. No initial differences existed between parent and professional scores in the motor, social, or language domains. Differences in the self-help domain disappeared after 4 months and in the cognitive domain after 12…

A survey of 904 special education teachers determined the nature and extent of parent-teacher interactions, by gathering data on number of parent contacts, time spent, communication format (written, telephone, or personal visit), nature of parent contacts in Individualized Education Plan (IEP) development, teachers' roles during IEP meetings, and…

A program that brings educators and Hispanic parents of deaf children into a cooperative relationship and enables families to meet and help each other is described. Suggestions on program planning, enlisting administrative and parental support, making regional connections, presenting workshops, and overcoming language and cultural barriers are…

School social workers can foster partnerships between family and school. Both the home environment and the amount of parent involvement can add or detract from educational productivity for students. Aspirations for excellence have a better chance if the social worker helps to forge relationships between families, communities and schools. (VM)

Two mothers of pupils in the Holyoke School System revitalized flagging parent involvement efforts with a program, the City-Wide Parent Participation Council, that includes the following strategies: (1) membership, voting, and elections; (2) scheduling; (3) minority outreach; (4) communications staff and office; (5) publicity; and (6) special…

Describes a program to improve the reading skills of primary and junior level students by encouraging parents to listen to their child reading at home for at least 20 minutes daily. Notes program results including improved reading development, better home-school relationships, and increased circulation for school and community libraries. (JHZ)

Describes the history, recommendations, and impact of "A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform," the report of the National Commission on Excellence in Education. Discusses broad recommendations regarding the curriculum; standards and expectations for students; time devoted to learning; the status of the teaching…

Describes how Chicago Vocational High School improved the quality of its programs. Important aspects are examined: parent and community involvement; counseling provided by local clergy, informal investigation of gangs in the schools, revival of school clubs and organizations, activities to foster school spirit, teacher development of annual goals,…

The purpose of this document is to twofold: First, it serves to summarize and record the content and comments from the presentations and breakout sessions during the Northeastern States NCLB/IDEA Invitational State Leadership Forum: Joining Forces: High Achievement For Each and Every Student, September 27-28, 2005. Secondly, it hopes to capture…

This short book discusses ways parents and teachers can cooperate to prevent some of the behavioral problems common to middle school and high school students. To help parents and teachers, it offers a progressive discipline code, called the "Parental Intervention Plan," or PIP, in which both parents and teachers jointly assume responsibility for…